The World Fencing League (WFL) will make its global debut in Los Angeles in April 2026, introducing a new era for one of the world’s most enduring combat sports.
Rooted in 16th-century European sword fighting and among the original Olympic events, fencing endures as one of the world’s most historic and pure forms of combat.
Now, The World Fencing League is combining rapid proprietary blade tracking technology, data-driven rule changes, and elite athletes to deliver a global sport. Its tagline, “Live by the sword, die by the sword,” captures the sport’s enduring spirit of honor, precision, and rivalry reinterpreted for modern fans.
At the helm is Miles Chamley-Watson — the founder, athlete, and visionary leader who has become fencing’s most recognized global ambassador. A three-time Olympian, Olympic Bronze Medalist, two-time World Champion, and first-ever African American World Champion, Chamley-Watson has built a career on breaking barriers both on and off the piste.
Known for blending athletic excellence with cultural influence, he has recently appeared at Vogue World 2025 and collaborated with Nike on the launch of his signature sneaker, “Airmiles.” He’s backed by brands including Nike, Airbnb, Mercedes, CashApp, and Richard Mille, among others. His mission is to transform fencing from a niche Olympic discipline into a sport that connects and inspires fans around the world.
“The World Fencing League is modernizing the sport for today’s fans and the next generation,” says Chamley-Watson. “We’re not just creating a moment — we’re creating a movement that will redefine how people see and experience fencing — it’s going to be game changing.”
At the heart of this evolution is Dentsu Lab Tokyo / Rhizomatiks’ proprietary blade-tracking technology, a Japanese-engineered system originally designed for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that captures every strike, parry, and counterattack in real time. The technology transforms fencing’s invisible speed and tactics into a visual display of pure combat intelligence, making it instantly clear to any viewer exactly what’s happening during the duel.
RWS Global, the creative team behind the Paris 2024 Olympic sport presentation, will lead the live event production, creating an arena experience that blends competition with cinematic storytelling. The World Fencing League debut will be a one-day event featuring a condensed, fan-first format: 12 elite fencers from regions across the world, including the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa, competing across mixed-gender teams in timed bouts with live scoring graphics, motion-capture replays, and prize purses exceeding $100,000. The event will be produced for a global streaming broadcast, with expansion plans into the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Among the competitors are Chamley-Watson (USA) and Lee Kiefer (USA), the reigning Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion, who becomes the first female athlete officially signed to compete in the league. The World Fencing League also draws expertise from Yuki Ota, Japan’s Olympic medalist, former President of the Japan Fencing Federation, International Olympic Committee member, and International Fencing Federation member.
“We’re excited to be building something that bridges heritage and innovation with plans for a full league launch by the end of 2026. This will be a global league with elite athletes from all over the world,” says Zhen Ren Teo, CEO of the World Fencing League.
The World Fencing League has secured its first round of funding through a private family office with ties to the sport.
The World Fencing League (WFL) is incubated by Chiron Sports Group, a global family office-backed investment group dedicated to transforming sports for the future through value creation in operational excellence, community building, and technology enhancement. Under founder and CEO Leo Rifkind, Chiron has been known for successful brand ambassador growth strategies for its portfolio, including partnerships with Drake in Venezia FC, Didier Drogba in E1 Team Drogba Global Africa, and Rob Gronkowski in Legacy25. The partnership with Chamley-Watson represents a natural allegiance of Chiron’s mission and Miles’ vision.
